EBDL – Getting Paid for Electronic Based Distance Learning

17 August 2014 By: Megan H

Everyone knows that there are online courses you can take in the Army to get promotion points. However, not many soldiers know how to get paid for certain Electronic Based Distance Learning (EBDL) courses. The Army Reserves and National Guard will actually pay you to complete up to 96 hours of EBDL courses each year.

Regulations Governing Pay for EBDL Courses

Army Directive 2010-06 (Compensation of Reserve Component Personnel for Army Electronic-Based Distributed Learning) in compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), 37 U.S.C. 206 (d)(2), and the Memorandum, USD (P&R), 29 Jun 08, subject: Policy on Reserve Component Electronic-Based Distributed Learning Compensation (EBDL) authorizes compensation for the successful completion of electronic-based distributed learning coursework. This policy remains an unfunded mandate. USARC memorandum, dated 19 December 2012, will be utilized as the interim guidance for utilizing Additional Training Assemblies (ATAs) payment for successful completion of EBDL coursework approved and listed in the Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS) for Electronic-Based Distributed Learning. Commanders must authorize Soldiers in writing to enroll in and complete electronic-based distributed learning courses that are eligible for compensation citing availability of funds. Electronic based distributed learning coursework will not be completed using Readiness Management Periods. Commanders will ensure that coursework authorized for additional training periods for distributed learning is not completed during any other type of IDT (battle assemblies and/or non-resident correspondence credit) or while in an active duty status. Each eight hours of successfully completed EBDL course work will earn a Soldier credit for completion of one paid ATA and one IDT Duty retirement point. All EBDL courses list academic hours in the ATRRS Unofficial Transcript which should be used to calculate ATA compensation. Commanders are required to retain copies of the DA Form 87 or equivalent proof of completion with the DA Form 1380 for future audits at unit level. No more than 12 ATAs will be performed by any one individual per year per AR 140-1.

Benefits of Completing EBDL Courses

8 hours of EBDL = 1 paid ATA (Additional Training Assembly).

8 hours of EBDL = 1 IDT (Inactive Duty Training) retirement point

EBDL Course List

Not all online courses are available for ATA compensation. Only courses listed on the EBDL Course List may be used. All other distance learning courses, not listed, are worth promotion points and retirement points but not pay.